Cole County EMS to pay almost $300,000 back to state 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County EMS is paying nearly $300,000 back to the state of Missouri. 

In 2019, Cole County EMS received around $600,000 as part of the Ground Emergency Medical Transporation program through MO HealthNet. The program reimburses providers like Cole County EMS for ambulance rides given to patients who use Medicaid. 

A recent audit showed Cole County EMS had been overpaid that year by $292,958, which is now being returned to the state. 

Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy said the overpayment was due to a bookkeeping error by a billing company the county used at the time. He said Cole County EMS no longer works with that company. 

After investigation, Hoy said the mix up seemed to be an "honest mistake." He is not worried about repaying the state because that money had been put into a contingency fund and was not used. 

Upon recouping the funds, the county will get back a nonfederal share of around $27,000.  On Tuesday, Cole County Commissioners unanimously approved Hoy’s motion to pay back the state.